Mining

West Perth-based Universal Resources Ltd has mandated the Royal Bank of Scotland and ABN AMRO in London to arrange a $US30 million bridging finance facility for the development of its Roseby copper project.

Avoca Resources Ltd has officially become a gold miner today after it started gold production from its Higginsville project in Western Australia while it received a cash bonus for bringing the mine to life under budget.

Four Midwest Corporation Ltd directors have decided to accept Sinosteel Corp's takeover offer, a day after its merger with Murchison Metals Ltd was called off.

Crescent Gold Ltd shares have sunk to a 12-month low after the gold producer suspended its Laverton operation in Western Australia following problems with the processing plant.

West Perth-based Tap Oil Ltd has forecast a significant impact on its bottom line following disruptions at its Woollybutt oil field which kept it offline for most of the year.

Michael Kiernan has released details of a $30 million funding package to save Monarch Gold Mining Company Ltd, which includes a $25 million capital raising and an interest-free $15 million loan provided by the Kiernan family.

Welshpool-based RCR Tomlinson Ltd has expanded its services in South Australia following the acquisition of an engineering services company for $3.5 million

The falling nickel price has hit Perth companies Fox Resources Ltd and Australian Mines Ltd, which have been forced to either wind down operations or defer capital development.

NRW Holdings Ltd has secured another contract from Rio Tinto Ltd subsidiary Hamersely Iron Pty Ltd for its Brockman 4 project, taking its total current works at the project to $132 million.

Woodside has been able to further increase output at the North West Shelf joint venture past the 100 terrajoules of gas per day that was initially estimated in the wake of the state's gas crisis.

World oil prices hit a new record high above $US145 per barrel today, as the market was energised by Middle East tensions, falling US crude reserves and the weak dollar, traders said.

Skywest Airlines Ltd has signed a scheduled charter supply contract with Rio Tinto Services Ltd for flights to and from Perth to mine sites in Western Australia.

PLANNING and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has named Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd as the preferred proponent for the extension of Reid Highway.

WEST Perth-based minerals company, Murchison United NL, is set to be repositioned as a global uranium company after unveiling a strategic alliance with industrial and nuclear energy giant Areva NC.

Academia is often looking in the rear view mirror when it comes to documenting worldwide trends.

A $5 million grant from the AusIndustry Commercial Ready program will fuel what Perth-based mining software provider Micromine says will be the largest mining software project ever undertaken.

SUBIACO-BASED mineral explorer, Haddington Resources Ltd, will press ahead with its expansion strategy into drilling services via acquisitions, this time eyeing Brisbane-based company Phoenix Drillin

Western Australian companies have delivered diverse results in a report of corporate governance standards by chartered accountants WHK Horwath.

I was reminded the other day of a phenomenon I'd previously heard of in general terms, though I could not recall a name being put to it.

PT Bumi Resources Tbk has increased its takeover offer for Herald Resources by 5 cents, putting an end to the stalemate with rival bidder Antam-Zhongjin as the latter demands a break fee of $5 million.

West Perth-based Alchemy Resources Ltd has expanded its footprint in the gold sector following a move to acquire the Western Australian division of Polymetals Group Pty Ltd which holds gold projects near Kalgoorlie.

Subiaco-based Balkans Gold Ltd will undergo a name change as it expands its geographical reach to Africa following an agreement to acquire West African Resources Ltd for $1.5 million.

West Perth-based Albidon Ltd has made the transition to nickel producer following the production of first concentrate at its Munali project in Zambia, with cash flow starting next month.

East Perth-based explorer Aragon Resources Ltd has entered into the phosphate game, acquiring Territory Phosphate Pty Ltd for an initial figure of $2.7 million in scrip.

Perth-based engineering company Clough Ltd has secured a contract worth $US50 million ($A53 million) by Norwegian company Advanced Production & Loading.

Portman Ltd is calling for the removal of two Golden West Resources' executives following the completion of its planned 19.9 per cent share acquisition.

Singapore-based Shell director Ian Robertson has taken a director's seat at Woodside Petroleum, following the resignation of Jakob Stausholm.

Perth-based Hazelwood Resources Ltd has reached in principle agreement with a number of investors to raise up to $3 million to progress studies at its wholly-owned Big Hill tungsten project.

Iron ore miner Territory Resources Ltd has today ruled out throwing any funding lifelines to embattled Monarch Gold Mining Company, and has also appointed a receiver in relation to outstanding loans.

Welshpool-based NRW Holdings has won a contract worth $43 million from Rio Tinto Ltd subsidiary Hamersley Iron for its Brockman 4 iron ore project.

Despite a bloody day on the bourse, South Perth-based gold explorer Noble Mineral Resources Ltd opened at a 40 per cent premium to its issue price.

Mt Pleasant-based oil and gas explorer Comet Ridge Ltd has divested its United States projects worth $7.3 million, in a deal with New York-based equity capital firm Pine Brook Road Partners.